Interchangeable reinforced shoe-sole.



` .H. C. EGERTON. lNTERCHANG-EABLE REINFOHCED SHOE SOLE.

, Armcmou msn Aus.2s. 191s.

`v`Patented 001;. 22, 1918.

,. 'a citizen of the United States,

HENRY c. EGEETON, or RIDGEWooD, NEW JERSEY.

. INTEBCHANGEABLE BiElNFORCED SHOE-SOLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct.` 22, 191.8.

Application filed August 28, 19.18. Serial 110.251,719.

T o all whom t ma'gjconcern:

Be it known that l, HENRY C. EeEnToN, and resident of Ridgewood, county of Bergen, State of New. Jersey,have inade a certain new and` useful Invention Relatino to Interchangeable Reinforced Shoe-Soles, vof which they following is a specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms part of the saine.

This invention relates especially to rubber soles, in some cases, includlng heel portions thereof, comprising stiffener strips or members of cloth, paper or other fabric preferably of a rather fibrous open texture which has been more or less impregnated or coated with phenolic condensation cementing inaterial, such as, bakelite, condensite or redmanolvarnislies or similar compositions which are cured or solidified by heat so as to bepreferably in the stiff and strong moderately cured condition of such material. These stiffcning strips ormeinbers of which several layers may be used, if desired, may

extend throughout the desired portion of the shoe sole and preferably at least adjacent the toe or front portion of .the shoe sole, the

-stiifener is spaced away from the edge of the sole so as to leave a suitable attaching or ,stitching edge portion and make it unnecessary to pierce 'the phenolic condensation stiff `ening member in attaching the sole to a boot or shoe for instance. It is advantageous Vto indicatel the approximate location of the edge of the stiifener member in the coin- *pleted shoe sole so that it can be properly positioned and centered, and for this purpose, as where the stiii'ener is inclosed or concealed by additional facing layers or material, it is sometimes desirable to provide indieating means or marks on the upper or lower surface of the sole indicating or correspond-` ing to the stitfener edge. It is in some cases desirable to employ a sole connector inember of canvas or other fabric between the stiiener membei' and the rubber sole compo Sition and by previously forming a fric tioned or other rubber. coating on this con-` nector'mcmber its union with the rubber sole may be facilitated. By using a similar frictioned or other rubber coated strip on the exposed surface of the stiifener member with its rubber coating outside, the shoe sole may be provided with a substantially uniformly rubberized facing or surface which makes it possible to cement the sole to the the upper surface of the reinforced shoe sole,`

which may of course, be arched or shaped up at the shank or other portions, if desired.

In the illustrative embodiments of the in vention shown in the drawingm Figure 1 isa top view of one form of slice sole.

Fig'. 2' is a longitudinal section thereof showing the parts in separated position for greater "clearness Fig. 3 is a corresponding sectional view of the assembled shoe sole.

Fig. 4 is a top view of a modified shoe sole for repair work, and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section thereof.

As shown in Figs. Q audB, the phenolic condensation stiffening ineinber may com prise two or more strips or sheets of canvas or other fabric impregnated orroated with bakelite varnish or otherphenolic coi'uflensation cenienting material as by tiiorcnighly impregiiating the fabric therewith.` in the usual iinpregnatingl or coating rolls or ina cliines and drying the impregnated fabric. These stiifener strips, such as ll and lil, which may have. the desired. thickness and extend throughout the various parts of the slice sole, may, if desired, be formed with beveled edge portions 13, and. are preferably of such size as to 'l end considerably inside the outline of the shoe sole so as to leave relatively penetrable. or softer edge portions for stitching or otherwise attaehin g the sole to the shoe. Fig. 1 indicates a suitable outline of the stitfener which i'nay be located within the stitching or other distinguishing outline l() appearing on the Aupper or lower surface of the shoe sole, which may thus have a fairly wide attaching edge portion 5 adja cent the front or toc portion, while relatively narrower attaching edge portions i' may be formed adjacent the shank of the shoe-f sole. In this way, `the workman can apply the rubber composition sole l,v with which this stiifener member is incorpoiated,` in the.

the desired extent to or lasts of shoes to plied.

It is sometimes desirable to employ a suitable sole connector strip or member such as 9, between the stilfener member or strips and the shoe sole, andthisv connector member may be formed of canvas or other fabric preferably provided with a suitable rubber coating such as the friction coating 28 on its lower face, Where it engages the rubber shoe sole l, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When united to the rubber composition sole by forcing the parts together ina suitable mold under the desired temperature of 300o F. more or less, the rubber sole composition preferably of a tough strong relatively pure character, may be forced strongly against the connector member and be vulcanized thereto at the same time that the -rubber composition is vulcanized and shaped up, and this heat is suicient to soften and melt the phenolic condensation cementing material in the stitfener strips so that it can thoroughly unitethem and also secure them to the upper surface of the interposed sole connector vmember Where this isused, so as to thoroughly and strongly unite all these suit the different shapes Whichv the soles are apparts to form a substantially integral shoe Vposition throughout this area.

sole, which maybe sold and shipped for originally making or repairing boots or shoes of any suitable character. In some cases also, a rubberized facing may be` provided on this shoe sole by the use of a similarly rubber coated or frictioned canvas or other fabric strip 8 having its rubber coating 28 on the outer or upper surface so that it is vulcanized by the heat of the forming mold to form a substantially smooth rubber surface on the sole, While this facing strip is securely and strongly attached to lthe other` members at the same time. The rubber cone tained in the attaching edge portions 5 of these rubberized'strips 8 and 9 is sufficient, in connection With the rubber contained in the coperating part of the shoe sole l, to strongly unite these fabrics when the rubber is vulcanized, and the balelite varnish or4 other phenolic condensation celnenting ma terial ycontained in the stiifener members throughout the inner part of the sole still more strongly secures the facing strip in It is usually convenient to preliminarily assemble the coated or impregnated stiffencr strips and the rubber coated connector strip or member and rubberized facing member, and they any suitable of stitching 10 extending at or adjacent the outer Way as by a roW around the same Vedge of the stiffener member as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Especially by making this stitching of a somewhat contrasting color it shows at once the location of the stifener member in the completed shoe sole so that Wearing and vintegral projecting heel,

the Workman can be guided in applying the sole and trimming off, Where necessary, the outer attaching edge portions thereof, which may as indicated have-a progressively in creasing Width.. For most ordinary or light service the reinforcement of the central portions of the shoe sole with this relatively stiff and strong nated fabric is ample to prevent thevundesirable penetration of stones or other projecting parts of the ground which would be objectlonable if the rubber sole, vespecially if of the relatively soft and strong tough composition, Which is desirable for best gripping properties, was used Without reinforcement. The rubber sole may, of course, have any desired thickness at the` various parts and may be formed with, an if desired, although as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the shank portion 2 may be somewhat thinner than the front portion of the sole and the heel portion 3 may be of substantially the same thickness.

Fig. 4 shows a modified shoe sole adapted for more general use in shoe repairing, for instance, in Which the stiffener members consisting of one or more layers of canvas or other fabric or fibrous material carrying or impregnated with phenolic condensation cementing material, at least adjacent the toe portion of the shoe sole so as to leave a still wider attaching or stitching edge portion 15 at this point. As indicated in Fig. 5 two fabric layers or stiffener strips 21, 22 may be used at the toe portion of the shoe sole and ma)Y have the inclined or beveled edge 23 adjacent which a line of stitching 10 may be used to preL liminarily secure this compound stifl'ener member to the inclosing fabric strips 18, 19 -Which are previously provided with a rubber coating, .such as 28, at least on the inner or exposed' side of the completed shoe solo, before they are united or connected to the rubber composition sole 1. If desired, also one or more extra stiifening strips such as 24 may be employed adjacent the shank of the` shoe sole to still further stiifen and strengthen this portion` which may as indicated, be arched or shaped up to support` the instep 4'ot the Afoot to the desired extent. The stifener and connected facing and connector member may be united to the rubber v phenolic condensation impregmay be of still less extent 'not be extended much beyond the point Where the heel of the shoe begins, the rubber being beveled olf at about this point to ,form the beveled portion Q5, while the rear attaching portion a is adapted to extend beneath the heel and be securely nailed or otherwise held in position. The use of such a Wide attaching edge portion 15 at the front part of the shoe sole as indicated in Fig. 4 makes the shoe sole more generally adapted for use with different size shoes, since the amount of material which can be trimmed off is correspondingly increased. At the same'time a relatively pcnetrable soft and yielding attaching edge portion is left so as to facilitate the attachment of the solo to the 'shoe by the ordinary stitching or nailing processes without necessitating punchmg through or penetrating the relatively hard stifener members which minimizes special methods or tools for this operation.

This invention has been described in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, forms, proportions, elements, parts, shapes, materials, compositions, methods of preparation, production and use, to the details of which disclosure the invent-ion is not of course to be limited, since what is claimed as nenv and what is desired-to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. The integral stllened rubber shoe sole comprising a stiflener member formed of a Yplurality of layers of `fabric carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector member located on lone side of said stiener member and having an edge portion projecting beyond the same, .a fabric member on the other side of said stiffener member and having a rubber coating on its exposed surface, stitching adjacent theedges of said stiffener member and uniting said connector member and facing member and securing them aroundsaid stiffener member,'and a vulcanized rubber sole vnlcanized to said connector member and stiffener member and extending outward con.4 siderably beyond said stiffener member at least at' the toe portion ci the shoe sole to form a relatively penetrable attaching edge portion.-

2. The integral stiilened rubber shoe sole comprising a stiiiiener member formed of fabric carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector mem- .ber located onone side of said stliener member and having an edge portion projecting beyond `the same, a fabric facing member on the other side of said stilener member and 'having a rubber coating on its exposed surface, stitching adjacent the edges of said stifener member and uniting said connector member and facing member and securing them around Said stiifener member, and a vulcanized rubber sole vulcanized to said connectorI member.

3. The integral stil'ened rubber shoe sole comprising a stitfener member formed bof fabric carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector member located `on one side of said 'stiffener member, a fabric facing member on the other side of said stifener member'and having a rubber coating, stitching unitingsaid connector member and facing member and securing them around said stiffener member and a vulcanized rubber sole Vvulca-nizedzto said connector member.

4. The stitfened rubber shoe sole comprising a stiffener member formed of fibrous matcrial carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector mem.4 ber located on one side` of said stiffener member, a fabric `facing member on the other side of said stiflener member and carrying rubber on its exposed surface, stitching adjacent the edges of said stiffene'r member -and, uniting said connector member and facing member to thereby inclose said stiffcner member, and a vulcanized rubber sole vulcanized to said connector member.

'5. The stiffened rubber shoe sole compris-` ing a stifener member formed of fibrous material carrying cured phenolic condensa# tion cementing material, 4a sole connector member located on one side of said stitfener member, Aa fabric facing member on the other side of said stiffener member and carrying rubber on its exposed surface, means uniting said connector member and facing member to thereby inclose said stiffener '110 member, and a vulcanized rubber sole vnlcanized to said connector member.

6. The stiffened rubber shoe sole compris` ing a connected fibrous stifener member carrying cured phenolic condensation ceinenting material, a rubberized fabric facing member on the upper side of said shoe sole, the edges of said stilfener member being considerably inside the edge of said shoe sole at least adjacent the toe portion thereof to. form a relatively penetrable attaching portion adapted to be trimmed hf when the shoe sole is connected to a shoe, and means on the upper side of said shoe sole indicating the approximate location of the edge of said stiffener member. l

7. The stiffened rubber shoe sole comprising a connected fibrous sti'ener member terial and a rubber coated fabric facing member on the adjacent side of saidshoe sole and having a relatively flexible attaching edge portiomthe edges of said stiffener member being considerably inside the edge of' said shoe sole at least adjacent the toe portion 'thereof to form a relatively7 penetrable attaching portion adapted to be trimmed off when the shoe sole is connected to a shoe.

9. The stiffened rubber shoe sole comprising adjacent one surface a connected stiffener member formed of fabric carrying cured phenolic condensation ce-n'lenting material anda rubber facing on the adjacent side of said shoe sole, t-he edges of said stiffenermember being considerably inside the edge'of said shoe Sole at least adjacent the toe portion thereof to form a relatively penetrable attaching portion adapted to be trimmed off when the shoe sole is connected to a shoe.

l0. The stiffener member adapted for use with rubber shoe Soles and comprising fabric carrying phenol-ic condensation cementing material, a cooperating relatively flexible sole connector member united to said stiffener member and 'having an edge attaching portion projecting beyond the same to a progressively increasing extent adjacent the toe portion, a. fabric facing member on the other side of 'said stiffener member and having a correspondingly projecting edge portion, and stitched to said` sole connector member adjacent the edges of said stifener member.

l1. The stit'ener member adapted for use with rubber shoe soles and comprising fabric carrying phenolic condensation cementing material, a cooperating relatively flexible sole connector member united to said stitfener member and having an edge attaching portion projectingbeyond the same to an increasing extent adjacent 'the toe por-.

tion, a fabric facing member on the other side of said stiffener member and connected to said sole connector member. v

1Q. The stifi'ener member adapted for use with rubber shoe soles and `formed of a' phirality of layers of canvas inij'n'egrmted with and carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector member of fabric united to said stiffener member and having an edge portieri projecting beyond the same, a fabric facing member on the v other side of said stifi'ener member and carrymg a rubber coating on its exposed surface, and stitchiner adjacent the edges of said stiffener memb` nector member and facing member to thereby inclose said stifi'ener member.

13. The stiffener member ladapted for use with rubber shoe soles and formed of fabric carrying phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector member of. fabric united to said stifener member, a fabric facing men'iber onethe other side of said stifener men'lber and carrying a rubbercoating on its exposed'snrface and stitching adjacent tbc edgesof said stiffener member and uniting said connector member and facing member to thereby inclose said stitfener member.

14. The stiffener member adapted for use with rubber shoe soles and formed of fabric carrying phenolic condensation cementing material, a sole connector of fabric united to said stiffener member, and a fabric facing member on the other side of said stiflener member and carrying a rubber coating.,

HENRY C. EGERTON.

er and uniting said con- 

